We check in with people at each stage of the cash transfer process to see how things are going. Take a look at some of their stories as they appear here in real-time.
Learn more about how recipients opt in to share their stories.
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($457 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
check
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Everyone has at least a certain goal that they would wish to accomplish but in my case, this would not be possible due to financial constraints. Therefore I would not bite what I can not afford to chew. Though I am grateful for the milestones that I have achieved in a short period.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly has done amazing capacity building in ensuring that its beneficiaries are empowered. Giving out unconditional transfers without expecting anything in return has been the key win because we were given an opportunity for us to choose how we'll we would spend our funds unrestrictedly. Throughout my interactions with the GiveDirectly staff, I did not encounter any anomalies.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The life of a single mother is full of struggles day in and day out, especially with unreliable sources of income. I am a mother of five children, I was given a place to build a house in my father's compound for my children to at least have a shelter. Though, I was unable to construct a decent house since I am a local tailor and my income is small. Upon the receipt of my transfer, I saw it fit to construct a house where I used KES 32,000. The house that I had was small and grass-thatched. I then used the remaining amount on school fees, the traditional right of passage for my son and foodstuffs. I am happy and relieved that achieving all this was smooth and swift because of the aid that we had received.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($483 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was at around 5 pm when I was busy milking my cow, that was when I heard my phone ringing, upon checking what the message was all about, I saw a Mpesa notification message showing that I had received money from GiveDirectly, words cannot express how happy I was, I was overwhelmed with joy, this is because I knew that I would be able to accomplish the goals that I had, I am grateful for the support that changed my life to a better one.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life today is that I was able to pay school fees arrears for my children, they can comfortably study without being sent home to collect school fees, In addition to that, I also paid back I debt that I had borrowed before to offset the school fees, my mind is at peace now, knowing that I have cleared the school fees, I am grateful for the support that changed our living standard amazingly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a consistent farmer and a mother of five children, Upon receiving my transfer, I used KES 20,000 in paying school fees for my children, school fees have been my major challenge due to unreliable source of income, I then used KES 23,000 in buying iron sheets to construct a decent house for my family once I receive my second transfer, I live in a small grass-thatched house together with my five children, I was unable to construct a decent house before due to school fees responsibilities. I am thankful for the support that lifted my life positively.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have been channeling most of my income to educate my children. This denied me an opportunity to build a better house for my family. Above all, I was not privileged to be married making me the sole breadwinner. This made my life hard as I prioritized providing better education for my children and shelve other developmental plans. This money gives me an opportunity of having better housing. I will plan KES 60000 to build a better house for my family. This will make me feel good as we will live a better life. I will also set KES 20000 to clear school fees arrears for my daughter at Chebonei Girls Secondary School.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I had a bumper harvest in July, this made me feel happy now that we have plenty of food.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I struggle to pay school fees for my children, I am working casually to earn a living. These casual jobs are paying low, about KES 300 per day which. It makes it difficult to have extra money to pay fees for my children.
